Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona is a hidden treasure. Patagonia Lake State Park was established in 1975 as a state park and is an ideal place to find whitetail deer roaming the hills and great blue herons walking the shoreline. The campground overlooks a 265-acre man-made lake where anglers catch crappie, bass, bluegill, and catfish. Trout is stocked every three weeks from October through March. The tracks of the New Mexico/Arizona railroad lie beneath the lake and remnants of the old historic line may be found at the Nature Conservancy in Patagonia. Hikers can stroll along the beautiful creek trail and see a variety of birds such as the canyon towhee, Inca dove, vermilion flycatcher, black vulture, and several species of hummingbirds.

The park offers a beach, picnic area with ramadas, tables & grills, a creek trail, boat ramps, a marina, and the Lakeside Market. There is a campground, boat-in camp sites, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. The Lakeside Market offers boat rentals, fishing licenses, bait, ice, and more.

At two and a half miles long and 250 surface acres, Patagonia Lake State Park is popular for a variety of recreational activities, including water skiing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking.

Created by the damming of Sonoita Creek, the lake is habitat for bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish, and is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter. For anglers' sake, the east half of the lake is designated a no wake area. A handicap fishing dock is located at the marina and behind the Sonoita Creek visitor center. Because the lake attracts a multitude of water sports enthusiasts during summer months, water skiing or towing a recreational device is prohibited on weekends and holidays from May 1 through September 31st.

Camping ranges from undeveloped spots to sites with water and electric hookups. Park conveniences include picnic ramadas, a swimming beach, and a marina store with boat rentals. Entry to the park is allowed from 4 am until 11 pm and access is from State Route 82 between Patagonia and Nogales. Park conveniences include picnic ramadas, a swimming beach, and a marina store with boat rentals.

Nature of the Area

An abundance of birds and animals can be seen around the park. Please contact Sonoita Creek State Natural Area for a complete list.

Visitors Center

The Patagonia Lake Visitor Center/Entrance Station is open all year except Christmas Day. Hours are from 8:30 am ? 5 pm November through March. April through October hours are the same except on Fridays hours are 7 am ? 10 pm.

The park has an automatic entrance gate that closes at 10 pm and no entry is allowed until it opens again at 4 am. All camping, day use and annual permits can be purchased here. A small lobby is available with various brochures describing surrounding areas and destinations. Maps are also sold here.

Park Store

The Lakeside Market and Gift Shop is operated by the park concessionaire and is located in the boat trailer parking lot. The concession also sells fishing licenses, firewood, grocery items, ice cream, soda, beer and wine and other camping supplies. Boat rentals are also available. Hours vary by season.

Camping

72 developed campsites with a picnic table, a fire-ring/grill, and parking for 2 vehicles. Select sites also have a ramada. Rates are based on per night per vehicle. Campsites tend to fill up in the evening from May until November. Campsites are first come, first served. Campsite lengths vary but most can accommodate any size RV. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 pm ? 8 am.

RV Sites

34 electric RV sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Sites include a picnic table, a fire ring, water hook-up and 50 amp electrical service. Some sites are located on the shoreline. No sewer hook-up. Campsite lengths vary but most can accommodate any size RV. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 pm ? 8 am.

Swimming

Patagonia Lake allows swimming in any part of the lake except the boat launch areas. The lake is considered to be wild water and swimmers swim at their own risk. There is a roped off swim area at Boulder Beach, but there is no lifeguard on duty. Swimming is at your own risk.

Boating

12 boat-in campsites are available at a per night per vehicle. Sites have a picnic table, fire-ring and are accessible by boat only. Some sites have portable restrooms. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from from 9 pm ? 8 am. Boats are available for rent from Patagonia Marina and Boat Rental External Link, located in the boat trailer parking lot.

Fishing

Large mouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, red ear and green ear sunfish maintain healthy populations in this 265-acre man-made lake. Rainbow trout are stocked in the winter months only. Fishing licenses can be purchased at the concession in the park.

Numerous picnic tables and ramadas are located at the beach and day use areas. Day use fees are per vehicle per 4 adults after Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend. From Memorial Day weekend until after Labor Day weekend day use is per vehicle per day.

Trails

Patagonia Lake offers a .5-mile hiking trail that leads to Sonoita Creek and is a very popular birding area. Additional trails can be accessed through Sonoita Creek State Natural Area.

Area Attractions

Totaling almost 5,000 acres, Sonoita Creek is Arizona's first major state natural area. The site is in the southeastern portion of the state and will preserve a unique riparian area. Work is currently being done on a management plan for the area. Arizona State Parks will develop hiking trails and wildlife viewing areas along the creek and throughout the property. Environmental educational programs for all ages will be offered as well as research opportunities for the universities. Designated as a significant riparian area, it is home to giant cottonwoods, willows, sycamores and mesquites, nesting black hawks and endangered species.

My husband fell off our boat in the parking lot behind the store on 30 August 2016 and the response from the store staff and park rangers was awesome. We received immediate medical attention and emergency services were contacted to transport him to the Sierra Vista hospital. Many, Many thanks to all.

May 18Great for RV and Boat by Bryan

Four or five of the developed camp sites have water access where you can leave the boat close to where you camp.Good fishing ,good ice cream at the store.